just diagnosed with underactive thyroid what next. no advice from my gp.

[fabulousat52]

What is it ok to take thyroid meds with? I take soya for hot flushes. GP left me a prescription and a phone message that this is no big deal!

[helvella Administrator]

It feels that almost everything is bad with thyroxine. Food, drink, medicines and supplements.

I'd suggest you consider taking it last thing at night if that fits in with your life. That's what I do. And it means I can have coffee and breakfast without any problems. If that won't work for you, maybe try taking the thyroxine the moment you wake - and wait half an hour or more before even a black tea or coffee - and an hour or more before any milk.

Specifically substances that contain aluminium, calcium, magnesium and iron are all well known to conflict and inhibit absorption. That includes ant-acids, many supplements, anaemia medicines, and on and on. But the list doesn't stop there.

The interaction of soya with thyroid hormones is complex. As I don't consume any, I really haven't spent much time investigating so suggest that you go off looking foir answers.

If you are taking (or need to take) any other medicines you might care to the interactions checker at drugs.com (but remember it is a US site so sometimes names are different).

And make yourself a medicines diary in which you record everything you take, day by day, including any supplements.

Rod

[Imogen]

Hi,

Thyroid UK have information pertaining to diet and meds compatible on this site. I found it really useful.

Mary Shommon`s site is good for information

Imogen

[Hidden]

I think underactive thyroid is more serious than doctors give you the impression of or than they seem to reaslise. I am enduring symptoms that totally disrupt my quality of life. When first diagnosed my doctor gave me a prescription whilst informing me this is what I have and a form to fill in to get my prescription free as she told me that I would have to take thyroxine for the rest of my life. I was quite shocked by this and when I asked if they would make me better she said yes and that was it.

I can't decide if they just choose to keep you ignorant of a lot of the facts or if they are themselves. Surely this could not be the case as they are university educated and trained to deal with patients feelings? Don't get me wrong, I have a nice doctor and think myself lucky that I even got my dx but at the same time I feel very frustrated that thyroxine (75 mcg) just does not appear to be working for me.

The endo I saw (just the once) told me that breathlessness and painful feel were not down to low thyroid. I have just aquired a copy of Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfied's book 'Your Thyroid and how to keep it Healthy' and he says they both are. What am I to think? I tend to believe they are but I am not brave enough to self treat. (Nor rich enough) and neither do I have the energy to travel further afield to doctors who may prescibe other tabs such as T3 or armour. It takes me all my time to get through the day with my day to day tasks without hot footing it around the country on what could well be a wild goose chase. By early to mid afternoon I am utterly exhausted puffing and panting and just have to rest until the evening. I am also haunted by frequent urination so if I travelled far would have to keep finding a local loo. I feel really old and worn out (I am 56) with still and achey limbs and have also recently read that premature aging is down to low thyroid as well.

Sorry folks but this is my experience just over two years after diagnosis, I hope others have a more positive one.

[hblower in reply to Hidden]

I think the medical profession get away, with very much, not all of course but most, obviously if they dont give advice it leads me to think that they have a lack of knowledge to the subject, so why dont they refer you to someone who does ?.

Simply because it shows a admission to their peers in their profession.

Anyway thats the opinion I have.Find someone else you may strike lucky.

best wishes Helen